The Globalist

The saga of a dynamic Germany and a sclerotic Italy does not reflect the historical record.

France and Germany will be very flexible in their response to Italian demands, irrespective of the official rhetoric from Berlin and Paris.

Populists in power, like Five Stars and the Lega in Italy, can do serious damage. In the case of Italy, the key risks are long-term rather than immediate.

Though the populists have triumphed in Italy, examples show that populists often abandon their most dangerous demands and their euro scepticism in the pursuit of power.

To advance their prospects of finding partners, both 5Star and Lega have ditched the most dangerous part of their erstwhile agenda. But significant risks remain.

As Germany and Italy decide the shape of their future governments, the EU is making slow progress. It is abandoning lofty schemes and determined to focus on people’s real problems.

Italian politicians warning against “Germany-type problems” in forming a government after the next election are a truly striking moment of European integration – although not a particularly welcome one.

From Germany to the UK and Italy, populism tries to get the upper hand. Can it be contained?

How do the three countries compare on consumption and exports of wine?

Beppe Grillo’s Five Stars movement loses some of its lustre.